Golf can appear a very difficult game to a beginner. An experienced golfer enjoys practice but if a beginner has tried hitting a few balls at the range without instruction, very often they end up disillusioned and confused. Even hitting the ball at all can be difficult for some. However, golf swing mechanics can be broken down into easy to manage parts which can be practiced with simple technique training drills that help build a golf swing that will work.
How to Improve Golf Swing Mechanics
First of all a beginner must understand how each of the basic fundamentals influences golf swing technique.
- The Grip – responsible for squaring up the clubface at impact. A bad grip causes a hook or slice.
- The Stance – influences the swing path of the club into the ball and the direction the ball takes off.
- The Takeaway – closely connected to the swing path and accuracy of the golf shot.
- The Shoulder Turn – the power of the golf shot comes from a good turn.
- The Follow Through – a good finish position helps control the overall timing of the swing.
Beginner Tips for the Golf Grip
There is much written about the golf grip, and the perfect grip can take some time to get right, however, for a beginner it is simple - there is only one vital thing to remember. No matter how the hands are placed on the club the arms must hang naturally from the shoulders, in the same position they would be in if, instead of a club, the golfer held a football in front of them.
Help to Improve the Mechanics of the Golf Stance
- The feet, shoulders and importantly the club face should point at the target.
- Most importantly the back has to be straight.
Fundamentally the golf swing is a turn back and a turn forward. If the spine is straight in the golf stance this turning of the shoulders round the spine becomes relatively easy, but if a golfer stoops to the ball with rounded shoulders it become increasingly hard to make a good backswing.
The One Piece Takeaway Drill to Improve Golf Swing Fundamentals
Once a golfer has set up to the ball correctly the golf swing should start with a one piece takeaway. This move allows the club, hands, arms and shoulders to sweep the club back from the ball in a smooth motion. For a golfer to sweep the club back on the right path they should try the following drill.
Take up the golf stance and put a ball behind the club – not in front, then try a backswing. As the club is swept away on an inside curve, because the shoulders are turning, the ball behind the face will be rolled away from the target. The ball should not move away from the target on a straight line but more behind the golfer. This sweeping round of the shoulders sets up the correct backswing path which is referred to as 'inside'.
Shoulder Turn Technique in the Golf Swing
Once the club has been swept away from the ball the shoulders are already turning. The key to building a golf swing with power is to keep the turn going. Most beginner golfers find this difficult to do and the shoulder turn needs to be practiced.
- This is an exercise that is regularly used in any warm up routine.
- Stand up straight with arms hanging down naturally at the sides.
- Raise the arms to shoulder height and start to turn back and forward keeping the head looking forward.
- Once the back feels loose start the exercise again but this time with the back bent reflecting the posture in the golf stance.
- Turn the shoulders back and forward letting the outstretched arms help pull the body round so the important back muscles become loose and supple.
- Do not overdo the exercise to begin with, but over a few days, increase the speed so the back muscles used in the golf swing become stronger.
Tips for the Golf Downswing and Follow Through
If a golfer has turned correctly during the backswing the only thing to concentrate on the downswing is making sure the shoulders unwind fully. However, one of the most common faults of a beginner is that they quit turning once the ball has been hit - this causes all sorts of problems. To build a swing that hits the ball into the air consistently the golfer must make sure they turn right through so the tummy and belt buckle end up facing the target.
Even if other parts of the swing are incorrect, with a good finish position good golf shots are possible. It is essential, while learning golf, that the swing is completed with the body facing the target.
See also: How to be More Confident Playing Golf or Drill to Make the Perfect Takeaway
John Hoskison - John is a class 'A' member of the British PGA and author of the acclaimed book 'Inside - One Man's Experience of Prison'.
